Leadership is a voyage that often finds itself in the turbulent seas of change and adversity.
In times when the winds of challenge blow with unprecedented ferocity, the effectiveness of a leader is tested not merely by their ability to steer the ship, but by their capacity to inspire the crew.
The guiding star, then, must be purpose — a beacon that stays steadfast even amidst the most distressing of squalls.
Here, we will voyage through the tactics and traits essential for leaders in windy, shaky, and downright nail-biting times.
The Compass of Empathy
Imagine yourself as a weather-beaten sailor on a ship not unlike those of old.
The worst storms are those not only of the skies, but also of the mind and spirit. In these moments, empathy is not just a strategy, but a lifeboat for your crew.
Show them you know the waters are rough, and that you are enduring it with them.
Recognize the Human Element
Leaders who fail to understand the individual faces on their ship tend to lose their crew. Recognize that each person, from the freshest deckhand to the most seasoned first mate, has a story, fears, and dreams.
Open the Helm
Create an environment where voices are heard. When employees feel their concerns are as crucial as the leader’s, you establish trust and build a more resilient crew.
As Mark Frisorra — CEO of two Fortune 500 companies — has said, cutting too deep to the point that you hurt your employees or customers for the sake of making more money hurts your longer-term goals.
Similarly, transparency in decision-making, as challenging as it is, is a lighthouse for your crew to understand the ‘why’ behind your navigational choices.
Sails of Optimism
In stormy weather, it’s tempting to batten down all hatches and expect the worst. But a leader must set a mood that still rings with hope.
This optimism is not mere naïveté, it’s the belief that even in the worst of storms, there’s eventual sun.
Frame Challenges as Opportunities
Every challenge has within it a seed of opportunity. When leaders can inspire their crew to see how overcoming great odds leads to great growth, they turn a stressed vessel into one eager to sail further.
Weather the Worst
Optimism in leaders doesn’t mean they are blind to the storm.
Share the potential risks and instead focus on planned strategies to steer through. Be ready to change course if needed but instill confidence in the plan.
Charting New Courses with Vision
A leader is not a mere navigator — they are the cartographer of their company’s future. We speak of vision, the map from which all strategic navigation follows.
Remind the Crew of the Mission
Sometimes in the chaos of change, the details of the mission are lost. Remind your team what they’re fighting for — your company’s culture, the values you uphold, and the shared mission that unites the crew with purpose.
Course-Correction
A true leader isn’t so certain of their course that they ignore storm warnings. Be ready to adjust your course. A leader’s vision is not one of inflexible certainty but of agility, adapting quickly to steer toward the changed horizon.
The Ship’s Culture: It’s Sails and Structure
A company’s culture is akin to the ship itself — its sails and structure that keep it afloat. In times of stress, it’s the resiliency of the ship – or the company’s culture – that determines if the crew can stay the course.
Uphold Firm Values
The values you espouse in calmer waters mustn’t be abandoned at the first sign of difficulty. In fact, it’s in tougher times that they’re most aggressively tested. Stand with conviction by these values, and you’ll find your crew will, too.
Flexibility without Breaking
While values must be upheld, so too must a company be able to pivot. A leader balances change with the firm ground of stability. It’s a paradoxical skill, one that only strong leaders learn to juggle effectively.
